Category
VERSES ABOUT VICES AND ADDICTIONS
Addiction and bad habits can be so destructive. Think about it, addiction is clinging to something—a behavior, a substance, an activity, even a person—that's actually harming you. So many of us struggle with these things, feeling trapped by a vice or an addiction. Sometimes, we feel like it's because of our past.
But here's the truth: in God, we're free. Christ set us free from all of that and forgave our sins. If you keep dwelling on the past, those chains can really hold you back. Sometimes, these struggles can even stem from negative spiritual influences, finding a foothold and coming to light when we unknowingly open a door, giving the enemy a legal right to step in.
You have the power to let go of what's binding you. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of bondage you need to address. Receive God's forgiveness and His healing. He's there for you.
I pray that we all find freedom from anything that's hurting us and holding us back. Just like it says in John 8:36, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
People of Zion, in days to come he will help you. He will lift the heavy load of the Assyrians from your shoulders. He will remove their yokes from your necks. Their yokes will be broken because you have become so strong.
Some of you say, “I have the right to do anything.” But not everything is helpful. Again some of you say, “I have the right to do anything.” But I will not be controlled by anything.
When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here!
You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out. Then you will be able to deal with it.
Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if he were your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy sinful desires.
The Lord is my rock and my place of safety. He is the God who saves me. My God is my rock. I go to him for safety. He is like a shield to me. He’s the power that saves me. He’s my place of safety.
“Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters.He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me.
Here is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful desires want to do. They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They take pride in what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. None of it comes from the Father.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.
Godly people cry out, and the Lord hears them. He saves them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.
Whoever rests in the shadow of the Most High God will be kept safe by the Mighty One.Then no harm will come to you. No terrible plague will come near your tent.The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you.They will lift you up in their hands. Then you won’t trip over a stone.You will walk on lions and cobras. You will crush mighty lions and poisonous snakes.The Lord says, “I will save the one who loves me. I will keep him safe, because he trusts in me.He will call out to me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in times of trouble. I will save him and honor him.I will give him a long and full life. I will save him.”I will say about the Lord, “He is my place of safety. He is like a fort to me. He is my God. I trust in him.”
I will praise the Lord. I won’t forget anything he does for me.Praise the Lord, you angels of his. Praise him, you mighty ones who carry out his orders and obey his word.Praise the Lord, all you angels in heaven. Praise him, all you who serve him and do what he wants.Let everything the Lord has made praise him everywhere in his kingdom. I will praise the Lord.He forgives all my sins. He heals all my sicknesses.He saves my life from going down into the grave. His faithful and tender love makes me feel like a king.
Then they cried out to the Lord because of their problems. And he saved them from their troubles.He brought them out of the deepest darkness. He broke their chains off.
You can’t shovel fire into your lap without burning your clothes.You can’t walk on hot coals without burning your feet.
Wine causes you to make fun of others, and beer causes you to start fights. Anyone who is led astray by them is not wise.
My son, listen and be wise. Set your heart on the right path.Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.Don’t join those who drink too much wine. Don’t join those who stuff themselves with meat.Those who drink or eat too much will become poor. If they sleep too much, they’ll have to wear rags.
Who has trouble? Who has sorrow? Who argues? Who has problems? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes?Don’t long for his fancy food. It can fool you.Those who spend too much time with wine. Or those who like to taste wine mixed with spices.Don’t look at wine when it is red. Don’t look at it when it bubbles in the cup. And don’t look at it when it goes down smoothly.In the end it bites like a snake. It bites like a poisonous serpent.
Lord, you will give perfect peace to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you. That’s because they trust in you.“Trust in the Lord forever. The Lord himself is the Rock. The Lord will keep us safe forever.
He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.A messenger is calling out, “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall.But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.
I am the Lord your God. I take hold of your right hand. I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’
Family of Jacob, the Lord created you. People of Israel, he formed you. He says, “Do not be afraid. I will set you free. I will send for you by name. You belong to me.“People of Israel, you are my witnesses,” announces the Lord. “I have chosen you to be my servant. I wanted you to know me and believe in me. I wanted you to understand that I am the one and only God. Before me, there was no other god at all. And there will not be any god after me.I am the one and only Lord. I am the only one who can save you.I have made known what would happen. I saved you. I have told you about it. I did this. It was not some other god you worship. You are my witnesses that I am God,” announces the Lord.“And that is not all! I have always been God, and I always will be. No one can save people from my power. When I do something, who can undo it?”The Lord sets his people free. He is the Holy One of Israel. He says, “People of Israel, I will send an army to Babylon to save you. I will cause all the Babylonians to run away. They will try to escape in the ships they were so proud of.I am your Lord and King. I am your Holy One. I created you.”Long ago the Lord opened a way for his people to go through the Red Sea. He made a path through the mighty waters.He caused Egypt to send out its chariots and horses. He sent its entire army to its death. Its soldiers lay down there. They never got up again. They were destroyed. They were blown out like a dimly burning flame. But the Lord says,“Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them.I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.You will pass through deep waters. But I will be with you. You will pass through the rivers. But their waters will not sweep over you. You will walk through fire. But you will not be burned. The flames will not harm you.
I will sweep your sins away as if they were a cloud. I will blow them away as if they were the morning mist. Return to me. Then I will set you free.”
But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again. His wounds have healed us.
“Here is the way I want you to fast. “Set free those who are held by chains without any reason. Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves. Set free those who are crushed. Break every evil chain.
Lord, heal me. Then I will be healed. Save me from my enemies. Then I will be saved. You are the one I praise.
I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.
I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me.I will put my Spirit in you. I will make you want to obey my rules. I want you to be careful to keep my laws.
The people of Jerusalem say, “Don’t laugh when we suffer, you enemies of ours! We have fallen. But we’ll get up. Even though we sit in the dark, the Lord will give us light.
But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all those things will also be given to you.
“Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls.They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”
He said to her, “Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace. You are free from your suffering.”
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me to announce the good news to poor people. He has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners. He has sent me so that the blind will see again. He wants me to set free those who are treated badly.
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world. He sent his Son to save the world through him.
Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.”
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they may have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
I leave my peace with you. I give my peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid.
“I am the vine. You are the branches. If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me.
“I have told you these things, so that you can have peace because of me. In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.”
But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We know that what we used to be was nailed to the cross with him. That happened so our bodies that were ruled by sin would lose their power. So we are no longer slaves of sin.
So don’t let sin rule your body, which is going to die. Don’t obey its evil desires.Don’t give any part of yourself to serve sin. Don’t let any part of yourself be used to do evil. Instead, give yourselves to God. You have been brought from death to life. So give every part of yourself to God to do what is right.
Don’t you know that when you give yourselves to obey someone you become that person’s slave? If you are slaves of sin, then you will die. But if you are slaves who obey God, then you will live a godly life.You used to be slaves of sin. But thank God that with your whole heart you obeyed the teachings you were given!You have been set free from sin. You have become slaves to right living.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s judgment.If Christ lives in you, you will live. Though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life. The Spirit does this because you have been made right with God.The Spirit of the God who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies. He will do this because of his Spirit who lives in you.Brothers and sisters, we have a duty. Our duty is not to live under the power of sin.If you live under the power of sin, you will die. But by the Spirit’s power you can put to death the sins you commit. Then you will live.Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.The Spirit you received doesn’t make you slaves. Otherwise you would live in fear again. Instead, the Holy Spirit you received made you God’s adopted child. By the Spirit’s power we call God Abba. Abba means Father.The Spirit himself joins with our spirits. Together they tell us that we are God’s children.As his children, we will receive all that he has for us. We will share what Christ receives. But we must share in his sufferings if we want to share in his glory.What we are suffering now is nothing compared with our future glory.Everything God created looks forward to the future. That will be the time when his children appear in their full and final glory.Because of what Christ Jesus has done, you are free. You are now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit who gives you life. The law of the Spirit frees you from the law of sin that brings death.
The thoughts of a person ruled by sin bring death. But the mind ruled by the Spirit brings life and peace.
The Spirit of the God who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. So the God who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your bodies. He will do this because of his Spirit who lives in you.
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.
Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him in the right way.Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.Stay excited about your faith as you serve the Lord.When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes.Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not curse them.Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad.Agree with one another. Don’t be proud. Be willing to be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Don’t think that you are better than others.Don’t pay back evil with evil. Be careful to do what everyone thinks is right.If possible, live in peace with everyone. Do that as much as you can.My dear friends, don’t try to get even. Leave room for God to show his anger. It is written, “I am the God who judges people. I will pay them back,” (Deuteronomy 32:35) says the Lord.Don’t live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.
The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ’s return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness that harm us. Let us do the works of light that protect us.Let us act as we should, like people living in the daytime. Have nothing to do with wild parties, and don’t get drunk. Don’t take part in sexual sins or evil conduct. Don’t fight with each other or be jealous of anyone.Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if he were your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy sinful desires.
Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God. You do not belong to yourselves.Or don’t you know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? Since this is true, aren’t you able to judge small cases?Christ has paid the price for you. So use your bodies in a way that honors God.
How can the temple of the true God and the statues of other gods agree? We are the temple of the living God. God has said, “I will live with them. I will walk among them. I will be their God. And they will be my people.” (Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)So, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch anything that is not pure and ‘clean.’ Then I will receive you.” (Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34,41)And, “I will be your Father. You will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord who rules over all.” (2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8)
I do live in the world. But I don’t fight my battles the way the people of the world do.The weapons I fight with are not the weapons the world uses. In fact, it is just the opposite. My weapons have the power of God to destroy the camps of the enemy.I destroy every claim and every reason that keeps people from knowing God. I keep every thought under control in order to make it obey Christ.
I have been crucified with Christ. I don’t live any longer, but Christ lives in me. Now I live my life in my body by faith in the Son of God. He loved me and gave himself for me.
Christ has set us free to enjoy our freedom. So remain strong in the faith. Don’t let the chains of slavery hold you again.
So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your desires controlled by sin want you to do.
The result of sin’s control in our lives is clear. It includes sexual sins, impure acts and wild living.Here is what I, Paul, say to you. Don’t let yourselves be circumcised. If you do, Christ won’t be of any value to you.It includes worshiping statues of gods and worshiping evil powers. It also includes hatred and fighting, jealousy and fits of anger. Sinful desire is interested only in getting ahead. It stirs up trouble. It separates people into their own little groups.It wants what others have. It gets drunk and takes part in wild parties. It does many things of that kind. I warn you now as I did before. People who live like this will not receive God’s kingdom.
But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithfuland gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.
You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray.You were taught to be made new in your thinking.You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.
At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light.
Don’t fill yourself up with wine. Getting drunk will lead to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the devil’s evil plans.
God began a good work in you. And I am sure that he will carry it on until it is completed. That will be on the day Christ Jesus returns.
God is working in you. He wants your plans and your acts to fulfill his good purpose.
Don’t worry about anything. No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray, and give thanks to him.Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds. He will do this because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood.
Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things.
He has saved us from the kingdom of darkness. He has brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.Because of what the Son has done, we have been set free. Because of him, all our sins have been forgiven.
So put to death anything that comes from sinful desires. Get rid of sexual sins and impure acts. Don’t let your feelings get out of control. Remove from your life all evil desires. Stop always wanting more and more. You might as well be worshiping statues of gods.
God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins.He wants all of you to learn to control your own bodies. You must live in a way that is holy. You must live with honor.
So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves.Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night.But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put on our chest the armor of faith and love. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.
Say no to every kind of evil.God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes.
God gave us his Spirit. And the Spirit doesn’t make us weak and fearful. Instead, the Spirit gives us power and love. He helps us control ourselves.
Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world.
He himself suffered when he was tempted. Now he is able to help others who are being tempted.
We have a high priest who can feel it when we are weak and hurting. We have a high priest who has been tempted in every way, just as we are. But he did not sin.So let us boldly approach God’s throne of grace. Then we will receive mercy. We will find grace to help us when we need it.
A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us.Our parents trained us for a little while. They did what they thought was best. But God trains us for our good. He does this so we may share in his holiness.No training seems pleasant at the time. In fact, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace. It does this for those who have been trained by it.So put your hands to work. Strengthen your legs for the journey.“Make level paths for your feet to walk on.” (Proverbs 4:26) Then those who have trouble walking won’t be disabled. Instead, they will be healed.Try your best to live in peace with everyone. Try hard to be holy. Without holiness no one will see the Lord.Be sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. See to it that a bitter plant doesn’t grow up. If it does, it will cause trouble. And it will make many people impure.See to it that no one commits sexual sins. See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son. He sold them for a single meal.As you know, after that he wanted to receive his father’s blessing. But he was turned away. With tears he tried to get the blessing. But he couldn’t change what he had done.You haven’t come to a mountain that can be touched. You haven’t come to a mountain burning with fire. You haven’t come to darkness, gloom and storm.You haven’t come to a blast from God’s trumpet. You haven’t come to a voice speaking to you. When people heard that voice long ago, they begged it not to say anything more to them.Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the one who started this journey of faith. And he is the one who completes the journey of faith. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He will give it to you. God gives freely to everyone and doesn’t find fault.
Blessed is the person who keeps on going when times are hard. After they have come through hard times, this person will receive a crown. The crown is life itself. The Lord has promised it to those who love him.
When a person is tempted, they shouldn’t say, “God is tempting me.” God can’t be tempted by evil. And he doesn’t tempt anyone.But each person is tempted by their own evil desires. These desires lead them on and drag them away.When these desires are allowed to remain, they lead to sin. And when sin is allowed to remain and grow, it leads to death.
So be watchful, and control yourselves completely. In this way, put your hope in the grace that lies ahead. This grace will be brought to you when Jesus Christ returns.You should obey your Father. You shouldn’t give in to evil desires. They controlled your life when you didn’t know any better.The God who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do.It is written, “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2)
Be watchful and control yourselves. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to swallow up.Stand up to him. Remain strong in what you believe. You know that you are not alone in your suffering. The family of believers throughout the world is going through the same thing.
But God is faithful and fair. If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins. He will forgive every wrong thing we have done. He will make us pure.